



«^«^'¥f«:%^cv^««^'**mT*^^ 



i TO- 










LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

i|ap itqningl^ :f 

Shelf ..E.^- 



V^^S" 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



TM°EVLor»JT'AGiVE^ 




\. 



^fx^"" 



'b^ 



-^V 



r 




Gloq-'^Nd 



■'Tf^ 



Copyright, 1SS5, 
By Charles E. Wentworth. 



University Press : 
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. 








fxW*tMS^feanTOI; *H*y 



The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grass, 

And silent was the flock in woolly fold o 

And back returneth, meagre, barefoot, wan, 

Along the chapel aisle by slow degrees Ii 

At length burst in the argent revelry. 

With plume, tiara, and all rich array 13 

They told her how, upon St. Agnes' eve. 

Young virgins might have visions of delight 14 

Her maiden eyes divine, fix'd on the floor, 

Saw many a sweeping train pass by 15 

Meantime, across the moors had come young Porphyro 17 

He startled her ; but soon she knew his face. 

And grasp'd his fingers in her palsied hand 19 

Which none but secret sisterhood may see 

When they St. Agnes' wool are weaving piously 21 

But let me laugh awhile, I 've niickle time to grieve 22 

" Ah, why wilt thou affright a feeble soul ? 
A poor, weak, palsy-stricken, churchyard thing " 25 

When Madeline, St. Agnes' charmed maid, 

Rose, like a mission'd spirit, unaware 27 



As down she knelt for Heaven's grace and boon, 

Rosebloom fell on her hands, together prest 29 

Clasped like a missal where swart Paynims pray 31 

Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd 

From Fez 32 

And spiced dainties, every one. 

From silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon 33 

He play'd an ancient ditty, long since mute. 

In Provence call'd " La belle dame sans mercy." 

Pendant, Still Life 35 

Her eyes wide open, but she still beheld, 

Now wide awake, the vision of her sleep 37 

Into her dream he melted, as the rose 

Blendeth its odor with the violet 39 

Down the wide stairs a darkling way they found 41 

By one and one, the bolts full easy slide, 

The chains lie silent on the footworn stones 42 

Tailpiece 43 




THE EVE OF ST. AGNES. 

I. 

St. Agnes' Eve — Ah, bitter chill it was! 
The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold ; 
The hare Hmp'd trembling through the frozen grass, 
And silent was the flock in woolly fold ; 
Numb were the Beadsman's fingers while he told 
His rosary, and while his frosted breath. 
Like pious incense from a censer old, 
Seem'd taking flight for heaven without a death. 
Past the sweet Virgin's picture, while his prayer he saith. 



II. 

His prayer he saith, this patient, holy man; 
Then takes his lamp, and riseth from his knees, 
And back returneth, meagre, barefoot, wan. 
Along the chapel aisle by slow degrees : 
The sculptured dead on each side seem'd to freeze, 
Emprison'd in black, purgatorial rails. 
Knights, ladies, praying in dumb orat'ries, 
He passeth by; and his weak spirit fails 
To think how they may ache in icy hoods and mails. 



III. 

Northward he turneth through a little door, 
And scarce three steps, ere Music's golden tongue 
Flatter'd to tears this aged man and poor. 
But, no — already had his death-bell rung ; 
The joys of all his life were said and sung: 
His was harsh penance on St. Agnes' Eve ! 
Another way he went, and soon among 
Rough ashes sat he for his soul's reprieve. 
And all night kept awake, for sinner's sake to grieve. 



IV. 

That ancient Headsman liearcl the prehitle soft; 
Antl so it chanced, for nian\' a door was wide, 
I'^'oni hurn' to and fro. Soon, up aloft. 
The sil\-er, snarhni; trumpets 'i^an to chide; 
The le\el chambers, read)' with their pride. 
Were i;lowini;' to receive a thousand t^'ucsts; 
The carvetl aui^els, ever caf^cr-cyed. 
Stared, where upon their heads the cornice rests, 
With hair blown back, and wind's put cross-wise on their breasts. 



V. 
At leiiL^th burst in the art;ent revelry, 
With plume, Uiu:a, and all rich arra)'. 
Numerous as shatUnvs hauntini;" fairih' 
The brain, new stuff'd in }-outh, with triumphs gay 
Of old romance. These let us wish awa_\-. 
And turn, sole-thous;hte(.i, to one Lad\' there. 
Whose heart hatl brootled all that wintr\- da\' 
On lo\-e. and wing'd St. Agnes' saintl}' care. 
As she had heard old dames full man}' times declare. 




Th^^m, 



J-Jr^^l 



4: '"^^^ ^ 






• ^^1 









.^^W-:'5.:tnl^'^^ 







VI. 
They told her how, upon St. Ac^ncs' Eve, 
Youngs virgins might liavc visions of deHght, 
And soft adorings from their loves receive 
Upon the honey'd middle of the night, 
If ceremonies due they did aright : 
As, suppcrless to bed they must retire. 
And couch supine their beauties, lil}' white; 
Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require 
Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire. 




/ 



VII. 
Full of this whim was thoughtful MadcHne ; 
The music, yearning Hke a god in pain, 
She scarcely heard, — she heeded not at all. In vain 
Came many a-tiptoe, amorous cavalier. 
And back retired ; not cool'd by high disdain. 
But she saw not : her heart was otherwhere ; 
She sigh'd for Agnes' dreams, the sweetest of the year. 



' ^H'\^P^^pr''^^jpg^^^^^ 







VIII. 

She danced along with vague, regardless eyes, 

Anxious her lips, her breathing quick and short. 

The hallow'd hour was near at hand: she sighs 

Amid the timbrels, and the throng'd resort 

Of whisperers in anger or in sport; 

'Mid looks of love, defiance, hate, and scorn, 
. Hoodwink'd with faery fancy; all aa^ort^ 

Save to St. Agnes and her lambs unshorn, 
And all the bliss to be before to-morrow morn. 



IX. " 

So, purposing each moment to retire. 

She linger'd still. Meantime, across the moors 
ii Had come young Porphyro, with heart on fire 
I y^por Madeline. Beside the portal doors, 

Buttress'd from moonlight, stands he, and implores 

All saints to give him sight of Madeline, 

But for one moment in the tedious hours. 

That he might gaze and worship all unseen ; 
Perchance speak, kneel, touch, kiss — in sooth such things have been. 



^/. 



X. 

He ventures in : let no buzz'd whisper tell ; 
All eyes be muffled, or a hundred swords 
Will storm his heart, Love's feverous citadel. 
For him those chambers held barbarian h ordes , 
Hyena fjoemeji-, and hot-blooded lords, 
Whose very dogs would execrations howl 
Against his ^lineage-; not one oreast affords 
Him any mercy in that mansion foul. 
Save one old beldame, weak in body and in soul. 



XI. 

Ah, happy chance ! the aged creature came. 
Shuffling along with ivory-headed wand 
To where he stood, hid from the torch's flame. 
Behind a broad hall-pillar, far beyond 
The sound of merriment and chorus bland. 
He startled her ; but soon she knew his face, 
And grasp'd his fingers in her palsied hand, 
Saying, " Mercy, Porphyro ! hie thee from this place ? 
They are all here to-night, the whole bloodthirsty race 1 



XII. 
" Get hence ! get hence ! there 's dwarfisli Hildebrand ; 
He had a fever iate, and in the tit 
)r[e cursed thee and thine, both house and land. 
Then there's that old Lord Maurice, not a whit 
More tame for his gra\- hairs — Alas me ! flit ! 
Flit like a ghost away!" — "Ah, Gossip dear, 
We 're safe enough ; here in this arm-chair sit, 
And tell nie how" — "Good Saints! not here, not here! 
Follow me, child, or else these stones will be thy bier. " 



Xlll. 
He foUow'd through a lowl\' arched way, 
Erushing the cobwebs with his lofty plume; 
And as she mutter'd " W'ell-a — well-a-day ! " 
He found him in a little moonlit room, 
Pale, latticed, chill, and silent as a tomb. 
X "Now tell me where is Madeline," said he; 
" O tell me, Angela, by the holy loom 
Which none but secret sisterhood may see. 
When they St. Agnes' wool are weaving piously." 



XIV. 
"St. Agnes! Ah! it is St. Agnes' Eve: 
Yet men will murder upon holy days ! 
Thou must hold water in a witch's sieve, 
And be liege-lprd of all the Elves and Fays, 
To venture so : it fills me with amaze 
To see thee, Porphyro ! — St. Agnes' Eve ! 
God's help ! my lady fair the conjurer plays 
This very night: good angels her deceive! 
5ut let me laugh awhile, I 've mickle time to grieve. 




XV. 

Feebly she laugheth in the languid moon, 
While Porphyro upon her face doth look, 
Like puzzled urchin on an aged crone - 
Who keepeth close a wondrous riddle-book. 
As spectacled she sits in chimney'd nook. 
But soon his eyes grew brilliant, when she told 
His lady's purpose; and he scarce could brook 
Tears, at the thought of those enchantments cold. 
And Madeline asleep in lap of legends old. 

XVI. 
Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose. 
Flushing his brow, and in his pained heart 
Made purple riot: then doth he propose 
A stratagem that makes the beldame start. 
" A cruel man and impious thou art ! 
Sweet lady, let her pray, and sleep and dream 
Alone with her good angels, far apart 
From wicked men like thee. Go, go! I deem 
Thou canst not surely be the same that thou didst seem." 

XVII. 
"I will not harm her, by all saints I swear," 
Quoth Porphyro. " Oh, may I ne'er find grace 
When my weak voice shall whisper its last prayer, 
If one of her soft ringlets I displace. 
Or look with ruffian passion in her face! 
Good Angela, believe me by these tears; 
Or I will, even in a moment's space. 
Awake with horrid shout my foemen's ears. 
And beard them, though they be more fang'd than wolves and bears. 



XVIII. 
"Ah! why wilt thou afifright a feeble soul? 
A poor, weak, palsy-stri cken, churchyard thing, 
Whose passing-bell may ere the midnight toll ; 
Whose prayers for thee, each morn and evening, 
Were never miss'd?" Thus 'plaining doth she bring 
A gentler speech from burning Porphyro; 
So woful, and of such deep sorrowing. 
That Angela gives promise she will do 
Whatever he shall wish, betide her weal or woe : 

XIX. 
Which was, to lead him, in close secrecy. 
Even to Madeline's chamber, and there hide 
Him in a closet of such pr ivacy 
That he might see her beauty unespied. 
And win perhaps that night a peerless bride, 
While legion'd fairies paced the coverlet. 
And pale enchantment held her sleepy-eyed. 
Never on such a night have lovers met, 
Since Merlin paid his Demon all the monstrous debt, 

XX. 

"It shall be as thou wishest," said the Dame; 
" All cates and dainties shall be stored there 
Quickly on this feast-night; by the tan^ ibou r. frame 
Her own lute,J:hou wilt see. No time to spare, 
For I am slow and feeble, and scarce dare 
On such a catering trust my dizzy head. 
Wait here, my child ; with patience kneel in prayer 
The while. Ah ! thou must needs the lady wed. 
Or may I never leave my grave among the dead." 



XXI. 

So saying, she hobbled ofif with busy fear. 
The lover's endless minutes slowly pass'd. 
The dame return'd, and whisper'd in his ear 
To follow her, — with aged eyes aghast 
From fright of dim espial. Safe at last, 
Through many a dusky gallery, they gain 
The Maiden's chamber, silken, hush'd, and chaste; 
Where Porphyro took covert, pleased amain. 
His poor guide hurried back with agues in her brain. 

XXII. 

Her faltering hand upon the balustrade. 

Old Angela was feeling for the stair, 
/'When Madeline — St. Agnes' charmed maid 
I' Rose, like a mission'd spirit unaware. 
\ With silver taper's light, and pious care, 
\\She turn'd, and down the aged gossip led 

To a safe level matting. Now prepare, 

Young Porphyro, for gazing on that bed ! 
She comes, she comes again, like ring-dove fray'd and fled ! 

XXIII. 
Out went the taper as she hurried in; 
Its little smoke in pallid moonshine died. 
She closed the door, she panted, all akin 
To spirits of the air, and visions wide : 
No utter'd syllable, or woe betide ! 
But to her heart her heart was voluble, 
Paining with eloquence her balmy side, — 
As though a tongueless nightingale should swell 
Her throat in vain, and die, heart-stifled, in her dell. 



XXIV. 

A casement high and triple-arch'd there was, 
All garlanded with carven imageries 
Of fruits and flowers and bunches of knot-grass, 
And diamonded with panes of quaint device, 
Innumerable of stains and splendid dyes 
As are the tiger-moth's deep-damask'd wings ; ^ 
And in the midst, 'mong thousand heraldries, 
And twilight saints, and dim emblazonings, 
A shielded 'scutcheon blush'd with blood of queens and kings. 

XXV. 
Full on this casement shone the wintry moon, 
And threw warm gules on Madeline's fair breast; 
As down she knelt for Heaven's grace and boon 
Rose-bloom fell on her hands, together prest. 
And on her silver cross soft amethyst, 
And on her hair a glory, like a saint : 
She seem'd a splendid angel, newly drest. 
Save wings, for heaven. — Porphyro grew faint: 
She knelt, so pure a thing, so free from mortal taint. 

XXVI. 

Anon his heart revives : her vespers done. 
Of all its wreathed pearls her hair she frees ; 
Unclasps her warmed jewels one by one. 
Loosens her fragrant bodice ; by degrees 
Her rich attire creeps rustling to her knees : 
Half-hidden like a mermaid in sea-weed. 
Pensive awhile she dreams awake, and sees 
In fancy fair St. Agnes in her bed, 
But dares not look behind, or all the charm is fled. 



XXVII. 

Soon, trembling in her soft and chilly nest, 
In sort of wakeful swoon, perplex'd she lay, 
Until the poppied warmth of sleep oppress'd 
Her soothed limbs, and soul fatigued away 
Flown like a thought, until the morrow day 
Blissfully haven'd both from joy and pain ; 
Clasp'd like a missal where swart Paynims pray; 
Blinded alike from sunshine and from rain, — 
As though a rose should shut, and be a bud asjain. 



XXVIII. 
Stolen to this paradise, and so entranced, 
Porphyro gazed upon her empty dress. 
And listen'd to her breathing, if it chanced 
To wake into a slumberous tenderness ; 
Which when he heard, that minute did he bless. 
And breathed himself: then from the closet crept, 
Noiseless as fear in a wild wilderness. 
And over the hush'd carpet, silent, stept. 
And 'tween the curtains peep'd, where, lo ! — how fast she slept. 



XXIX. 

Then by the bed-side, where the faded moon 
Made a dim silver twihght, soft he set 
A table, and, half anguish'd, threw thereon 
A cloth of wo\-en crimson, gold and jet, — 
Oh, for some drowsy Morphean amulet! 
The boisterous, midnight, festive clarion, 
The kettle-drum, and far-heard clarionet 
AftVay his ears, though but in dying tone. — 
The hall-door shuts again, and all the noise is gone. 



XXX. 

And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep 
In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender'd. 
While he from forth the closet brought a heap 
Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd; 
With jellies soother than the cream\- curd, 
And lucent syrups, tinct with cinnamon ; 
Manna and dates, in argosy transferr'd 
From Fez ; and spiced dainties, every one. 
From silken Samarcand to cedar'd Lebanon. 



-j^M^^ii 








is^^v^^-^-^ 



-v.^^^. 









-itl ^^ - 




XXXI. 

These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand 
On golden dishes and in baskets bright 
Of wreathed silver: sumptuous they stand 
In the retired quiet of the night, 
Filling the chilly room with perfume light. — 
" And now, my love, my seraph fair, awake ! 
Thou art my heaven, and I thine eremite: 
Open thine eyes, for meek St. Agnes' sake. 
Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ache." 

XXXII. 
Thus whispering, his warm, unnerved arm 
Sank in her pillow. Shaded was her dream 
By the dusk curtains; — 'twas a midnight charm 
Impossible to melt as iced stream. 
The lustrous salvers in the moonlight gleam ; 
Broad golden fringe upon the carpet lies. 
It seem'd he never, never could redeem 
From such a steadfast spell his lady's eyes: 
So mused awhile, entoil'd in woofcd phantasies. 

XXX 1 11. 
Awakening up, he took her hollow lute, — 
Tumultuous, — and, in chords that tenderest be, 
He play'd an ancient ditty, long since mute. 
In Provence call'd " La belle dame sans mercy," 
Close to her ear touching the melody; 
Wherewith disturb'd, she utter'd a soft moan. 
He ceased — she panted quick — and suddenly 
Her blue affrayed eyes wide open shone: 
Upon his knees he sank, pale as smooth-sculptured stone. 



XXXIV. 
Her eyes were open, but she still beheld, 
Now wide awake, the vision of her sleep : 
There was a painful change, that nigh expell'd 
The blisses of her dream so pure and deep. 
At which fair Madeline began to weep, 
And moan forth witless words with many a sigh ; 
While still her gaze on Porphyro would keep. 
Who knelt, with joined hands and piteous eye, 
Fearing to move or speak, she look'd so dreamingly. 



XXXV. 

" Ah, Porphyro ! " said she, " but even now 
Thy voice was at sweet tremble in mine ear, 
Made tunable with every sweetest vow ; 
And those sad eyes were spiritual and clear. 
How changed thou art ! how pallid, chill, and drear ! 
Give me that voice again, my Porphyro, 
Those looks immortal, those complainings dear ! 
Oh, leave me not in this eternal woe. 
For if thou diest, my love, I know not where to go." 



XXXVI. 

Beyond a mortal man impassion'd far 

At these voluptuous accents, he arose 
- Ethereal, flush'd, and like a throbbing star 

Seen 'mid the sapphire heav^en's deep repose ; 

Into her dream he melted, as the rose 

Blendeth its odor with the violet, — 

Solution sweet. Meantime the frost-wind blows 

Like Love's alarum, pattering the sharp sleet 
Against the window-panes : St. Agnes' moon hath set. 

XXXVII. 
'T is dark ; quick pattereth the flaw-blown sleet : 
"This is no dream, my bride, my Madeline! " 
'T is dark ; the iced gusts still rave and beat : 
" No dream, alas ! alas ! and woe is mine ! 
Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine. 
Cruel! what traitor could thee hither bring? 
I curse not, for my heart is lost in thine, 
Though thou forsakest a deceived thing, — 
A dove forlorn and lost, with sick unpruned wing." 

XXXVIII. 
" My Madeline ! sweet dreamer ! lovely bride ! 
Say, may I be for aye thy vassal blest. 
Thy beauty's shield, heart-shaped and vermeil dyed? 
Ah, silver shrine, here will I take my rest 
After so many hours of toil and quest, 
A famish'd pilgrim, — saved by miracle. 
Though I have found, I will not rob thy nest 
Saving of thy sweet self; if thou think'st well 
To trust, fair Madeline, to no rude infidel." 



XXXIX. 
" Hark ! 't is an elfin storm from faery land, 
Of haggard seeming, but a boon indeed. 
Arise — arise ! the morning is at hand ; 
The bloated wassailers will never heed. 
Let us away, my love, with happy speed ; 
There are no ears to hear, or eyes to see, — 
Drown'd all in Rhenish and the sleepy mead ; 
Awake ! arise ! my love, and fearless be. 
For o'er the Southern moors I have a home for thee." 



XL. 
She hurried at his words, beset with fears, 
For there were sleeping dragons all around, 
At glaring watch, perhaps, with ready spears. 
Down the wide stairs a darkling way they found, — 
In all the house was heard no human sound. 
A chain-droop'd lamp was flickering by each door; 
The arras, rich with horseman, hawk, and hound, 
Flutter'd in the besieging wind's uproar. 
And the long carpets rose along the gusty floor. 



XLI. 
They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall; 
Like phantoms to the iron porch they glide, 
Where lay the Porter, in uneasy sprawl, 
With a huge empty flagon by his side ; 
The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide. 
But his sagacious eye an inmate owns. 
By one, and one, the bolts full easy slide ; 
The chains lie silent on the footworn stones ; 
The key turns, and the door upon its hinges groans. 

XLII. 
And they are gone ! ay, ages long ago 
These lovers fled away into the storm. 
That night the Baron dreamt of many a woe. 
And all his warrior-guests, with shade and form 
Of witch and demon and large cofifin-worm, 
Were long be-nightmared. Angela the old 
Died palsy-twitch'd, with meagre face deform ; 
The Beadsman, after thousand aves told, 
For aye unsought-for slept among his ashes cold. 





'jA'i-'^f 















::{^y.t^-i7'^V-^-' 









:^ 



'f^'1. 



.s^-., 



